“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals.” – Jean Vanier
Many studies show that knowing your ancestry and world history enhances empathy, feelings of connectedness, self-worth, and empowerment.
I am very proud of my predominantly Scottish DNA. A few years ago, I was one of those on the Ancestry.com train obsessively researching my family lines, sometimes staying up until the wee hours of the morning uncovering new hints, stories of clan battles and ancestors being beheaded at London Tower, and surprising finds like Saint Margaret, Robert the Bruce, and King Henry VII being direct ancestors!
I still have yet to find a person anywhere in the world that doesn’t like the Scots – and Scots are global! Without the Scots, we wouldn’t have Dolly the cloned sheep, the telephone, penicillin, Brigadoon, single malt scotch, Sean Connery, Outlander or many signatories of the Declaration of Independence.
If that isn’t inspiration to go kick some butt in the world, what is?
To honor myself, my ancestors, and a beautiful global culture, I joined my dear friend Cindi McIntosh and a wonderful team of people to co-found ScotWeek, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Los Angeles with a series of virtual events April 16-18, 2021 to educate and connect audiences around modern Scottish culture.
We are proudly supported by The Scottish Government, Scottish Business Network, Shakespeare’s Globe in London, NYC Tartan Week, Royal Scottish Orchestra, University of the Highlands and Islands, and Theatre School of Scotland. All proceeds benefit Saltire Foundation and Entrepreneurial Scotland, and other charitable endeavors.
And it’s not required to be Scottish to participate! Our motto is “We’re better together”, and we are! That’s what enjoying a wee dram of whisky is about – conversation and communion with everyone.
We have so many truly amazing people coming together for ScotWeek including a FREE screening of The Shakespeaker’s Globe production of MacBeth (2013), a screening of “Robert the Bruce” film (2020), and a series of TedTalks style panels with experts on everything from sustainability, biotech, film & television, performing arts, entrepreneurship, Scottish history, and news and media.
I want to highlight a dear friend of mine, Alexa Fischer, who has gone above and beyond to support both me personally and ScotWeek.
In this wonderful spirit of philanthropy, connection, and going after your dreams, Alexa Fischer, Founder & CEO of Wishbeads, is generously helping ScotWeek on multiple fronts.
As an actor, motivational speaker, speaking coach, and badass entrepreneur, she will be speaking at ScotWeek (Virtual Event) on Friday, April 16 at 1:40pm PDT on the Health & Wellness panel about different tools to shift your life in a positive direction.
CLICK HERE to register and to see a full list of speakers and panels.
Alexa has specifically created a Wishbeads bracelet for ScotWeek in Scotland’s blue and white saltire colors where you write your wish on eucalyptus paper, roll it into the bracelet tube, and are invited to follow her 21-day journey to activate your wish.
*Side note: I have had MANY wishes come true in the last year through Wishbeads! This really works.
Alexa is also co-hosting a free Wish Circle for ScotWeek where she will guide us through a visualization to manifest our wishes on April 18 at 10:00am PDT! Whether they our wishes for our own lives, wishes for those we love, or wishes for community and humanity, when we all come together in a group to support one another in our manifesting journeys, the power is amplified exponentially.
"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it. – Marianne Williamson
Get your tartan out, and I’ll see you virtually at ScotWeek! Sláinte Mhath!